A Different Journey |
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Brian D'Arcy
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Pages: 332 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0954582950
Pub: Sliabh Ban Productions Ltd
Pub date: 2006-10-23
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 9407
Reader Reviews:
The Magnet (0/0 people found this helpful)
Brian D`Arcy is not just a priest. He is a magnet. He draws people to him. He is human and down to earth. People flock to hear him. His personality is beaming.
This book is about his life, warts and all.
A journey worth taking (1/2 people found this helpful)
Before Father Ted, the late Dermot Morgan invented a character for his comedy routines named Father Trendy. Father Brian D'Arcy was the obvious model - now confirmed in 'A Different Journey' - and his public image probably suffered as a result. However, this memoir dispels any notion that may still linger in some people's minds that he is a lightweight, preoccupied with fame and his showbiz connections.
D'Arcy is clearly a conscientious priest, greatly troubled by the inflexibilities and, more recently, the scandals of the Church to which he belongs. He writes with painful honesty of his doubts about whether he was right to enter the priesthood. He also works out his reasons for remaining a priest, despite the absurdities, not to mention the sheer evil, he has witnessed in the Church.
Sometimes the author becomes a little too evangelical in explaining his own personal theology, although Thomas Merton fans won't complain. A more general criticism is the somewhat haphazard sequencing of chapters and topics once the basic narrative of his life has been laid out. An index would have helped.
However, these are minor drawbacks for anyone seeking an honest appraisal of today's Catholic Church from someone who cares deeply about the institution, and who knows what he is writing about.
A modern prophet (16/20 people found this helpful)
Reading this book hits the reader on two scores; firstly,the historical development of the Catholic church itself and its meltdown places the reader firmly in Fr Brian's story. Places, events, practices and beliefs have a familiarity which is both comforting and unsettling for the reader. Secondly, the human story of one man's personal journey is fascinating and at times very humbling. I read this book with a realisation that here is a man who is a modern prophet; a priest alive to God in his life and to the people he ministers to. I found the author's voice authentic, especially when he writes with a righteous anger about all things corrupt and hypocritical. I finished this book having felt I had also been taken on a different journey, one which invited reflection and self-honesty. A powerful read which is good for the soul and good for the church. This modern prophet is worth reading.
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Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> Religious -> Christianity -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> Social & Health Issues -> Cultural History -> Irish
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Catholic -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> General AAS
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Paperback
Books -> Refinements -> Font Size (format_browse-bin) -> Regular Size